Ridley Scott is moving forward with the Gladiator sequel under his Scott Free banner with The Town and Top Gun: Maverick writer Peter Graig being set to pen the script while Scott wants to return to the director’s chair. Paramount will be developing the project while Universal has the option to co-finance the film. Dreamworks, the studio that made the first film, will not be involved.

The Gladiator sequel will reportedly continue the story of Lucius, the son of Connie Nielson’s Lucilla and nephew of Joaquin Phoenix’s Commodus, the son of Roman leader Marcus Aurelius who seized the throne after murdering his father and met his demise after being skewered in the ring by Russell Crowe’s Maximus. Although Maximus died from the wounds he sustained during the battle, the warrior left a strong impression on young Lucius.

The original Gladiator received positive reviews and became the second-highest grossing film of 2000. It was nominated for 12 Academy Awards and won five, including Best Visual Effects, Best Costume Design, Best Sound Mixing, Best Actor for Russell Crowe, and Best Picture.

Are you interested in seeing the second film? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!